Can Micralax Kill A Cat? (Vet Response)

When you own a cat, it is natural to worry about things that have the potential of harming your pet.

In some cases, cat parents have wondered if bug zappers can kill cats, so the trust is when it comes to fear for the cat’s safety, you are not alone. In this article, you will discover whether Micralax can kill a cat.

What Is Micralax?

Micralax is a laxative medication that is administered rectally with the aim of stimulating a bowel movement to relieve constipation. Whilst Micralax is a human medication, it is frequently used within the veterinary medical field as part of the available toolbox for the treatment of constipation affecting our feline family members.

Micralax comes in ‘single serving’ 5ml tubes and contains the active ingredients sodium citrate, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, and sorbitol. This combination of ingredients acts to soften the surface of the stools inside the rectum (the last part of the colon, just inside the anus).

It also causes the stool to absorb water, and this volume increase triggers a bowel movement.

Can Micralax Kill A Cat?

In the vast majority of cases, Micralax is a very safe medication for cats, especially when used correctly and on the direct advice of a veterinary surgeon.

However, if the above precautions are overlooked, then it is certainly possible for Micralax to cause harm or even result in death in rare instances.

Likewise, whilst it is very rare for Micralax to cause an allergic response in cats, in a few cases these adverse reactions may be severe and result in anaphylaxis. If an anaphylactic response occurs to the medication, then death can result if very swift veterinary treatment is not received.

What Side Effects Might My Cat Experience From Micralax?

Like every medication, Micralax has the possibility of causing side effects; these can apply to both human and animal patients, and may include the following;

1. Abdominal pain or cramping sensations.
2. Anal discomfort or a burning sensation affecting the anus and/or rectum.
3. Diarrhea.
4. Rectal irritation.
5. Localized skin reactions (where these occur they are usually a result of the sorbic acid in Micralax).
6. Allergic reactions, including hives at the more benign end of the spectrum, and anaphylaxis (which may include low blood pressure and difficulty breathing) in very rare instances at the severe end of the spectrum.

Note that where an anaphylactic reaction does occur, this would usually happen within 30 minutes of the medication being administered.

Most feline patients who receive a dose or two of Micralax during the treatment of constipation appear to experience no side effects. Of course, it can be difficult to know for sure the true percentage of cats who experience more subtle side effects such as cramping sensations since of course we cannot ask them how they feel!

Precautions To Take With Micralax Use In Cats

Micralax should only be administered to your cat on the advice of a qualified and registered veterinary surgeon, whose care your pet is under. It can be dangerous to give Micralax to a cat without first consulting a vet, even if they have had this medication before.

Micralax should not be given to cats who are known or suspected to be suffering from a complete obstruction anywhere within the intestines, for example as a result of very severe constipation or obstipation.

Any cat who has previously had an allergic or negative reaction to a past dose of Micralax should not be given this medication; alternative laxative and/or enema treatments should be considered instead.

If your cat has been diagnosed with ulcers or significant irritation affecting the intestines, especially the colon (the last part of the intestines before the rectum), Micralax should be avoided where possible.

And, whether your veterinary surgeon, vet tech, or vet nurse is administering the Micralax, or whether they have prescribed for you to administer the medication yourself at home, it is important to be aware that the nozzle should only be inserted to half its total length into your cat’s anus.

This is because the rectum in cats is much shorter than in adult humans, and so excessive insertion of the nozzle has the potential to cause damage to your kitty’s delicate anatomy.

And finally, if your cat is currently pregnant or feeding young kittens, your vet will need to weigh up the pros and cons of Micralax use on an individual basis and may choose to prescribe an alternative treatment in some cases.